When Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined, it's easy to assume Jannik Sinner's dominance comes with an asterisk. But dismissing what the Italian is doing would be a mistake—even if the competition isn't as fierce as it once was.

Since Alcaraz went down with an injury, men's tennis has undeniably lost some of its spark. The Spaniard brought a level of excitement and rivalry that made the tour must-watch TV, especially when Sinner seemed to be operating on another planet. But that doesn't mean Sinner is coasting.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash broke down exactly what sets the world No. 1 apart. "He knows how to win," Cash said. "He knows his way around the tennis court. And at the moment, there's not a lot of competition out there for him, and he's just chewing up the tournament wins one after the other."

Cash highlighted the relentless drive that fuels Sinner's historic run. "You can just see the determination on his face. Every time he gets out there, he just wants to get better. He just wants to keep pounding that ball and drive the players into the ground."

The Australian added a crucial layer: "You can do it when he's hot. It's when you're not hot, but can you do it? And can you come out and be competitive enough? And he's still got that determination to prove people wrong."

Sinner's numbers tell the story. He hasn't lost a Masters 1000 match since Shanghai in October, reeling off titles in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. Rome looks like the next logical step. During the Italian Open, he shattered Novak Djokovic's record of 31 consecutive wins—a mark that once seemed untouchable.

"I don't play for records. I play just for my own story," Sinner told reporters after the milestone. "At the same time, it means a lot to me."

Whether Alcaraz returns soon or not, Sinner is writing a chapter that demands attention. And as Cash pointed out, his hunger isn't fading anytime soon.